Russell nodded.
The room tilted beneath me.
“Answer this first,” I said. “Is there any blood between you and me?”
“No,” he said quickly. “None. I am not related to you. Lauren is Edith’s daughter. Martin fathered her while he was married to your mother. I raised her.” Mother-daughterjewelry
“Because Dad wouldn’t.”
“Yes.”
“And Dad knew before today?”
Russell closed his eyes.
“Say it.”
“Yes.”
I gripped the shelf.
“He walked me down the aisle today.”
“I know.”
“He cried, Russell.”
“That is why I opened the door tonight.”
“No,” I said. “You opened it after the vows. Don’t pretend that was courage.”
He flinched.
Part 2
I asked if Lauren knew. Russell told me she knew he was not her biological father, but she did not know Martin was.
“You let her sit across from him at dinners?” I asked.
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